Author: Piper Huguley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Book Release Date: 2024
Pages: 356
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: In the vein of America’s First Daughter, Piper Huguley’s historical novel delves into the remarkable friendship of Portia Washington and Alice Roosevelt, the daughters of educator Booker T. Washington and President Teddy Roosevelt.
At the turn of the twentieth century, in a time of great change, two women—separated by societal status and culture but bound by their expected roles as the daughters of famed statesmen—forged a lifelong friendship.
Portia Washington’s father Booker T. Washington was formerly enslaved and spent his life championing the empowerment of Black Americans through his school, known popularly as Tuskegee Institute, as well as his political connections. Dedicated to her father’s values, Portia contributed by teaching and performing spirituals and classical music. But a marriage to a controlling and jealous husband made fulfilling her dreams much more difficult.
When Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency, his eldest daughter Alice Roosevelt joined him in the White House. To try to win her father’s approval, she eagerly jumped in to help him succeed, but Alice’s political savvy and nonconformist behavior alienated as well as intrigued his opponents and allies. When she married a congressman, she carved out her own agendas and continued espousing women’s rights and progressive causes.
Brought together in the wake of their fathers’ friendship, these bright and fascinating women helped each other struggle through marriages, pregnancies, and political upheaval, supporting each other throughout their lives.
A provocative historical novel and revealing portrait, Piper Huguley’s American Daughters vividly brings to life two passionate and vital women who nurtured a friendship that transcended politics and race over a century ago.
My Review: American Daughters tells the friendship between Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Portia Washington Pittman. When Theodore Roosevelt is inaugurated as president, Portia happens to meet Alice, and they quickly strike up a friendship. Both of them have lost their real mothers and are ignored by their fathers. The book also chronicles their failed marriages and personal struggles. Throughout their difficulties, they support each other.
I learned about Alice Roosevelt after reading a few books on her. However, I have never heard of Portia Washington Pittman, so I was curious to learn their story. These women were very likable. I felt sorry for the personal struggles that they went through in life. They had a lot in common. They were mostly neglected by their fathers and yearned for their attention. They were very spirited. Their youthful, fanciful dreams of romance was not what it turned out to be. However, I found that both of them were strong women, and I admired their friendship.
Overall, this book is about friendship, choices, and perseverance. I admired all of the characters and thought that they were true to their historical counterparts. I did find the pacing of the book to be uneven. There were some very slow parts and other parts seemed rushed. I also wished that this book would not have ended in the year of 1930. I would have liked for Mrs. Huguley to have written about their later years. Nevertheless, American Daughters was a very captivating read! I did not want this book to end! I also thought that the book was very well written and was meticulously researched. I recommend this book for fans of American Princess, The President’s Wife, and If a Poem Could Live and Breathe! American Daughters is a wonderful tribute to two very remarkable women!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Comments
Post a Comment